Illegal Curve Hockey

Categories: NHL Morning Papers

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition): Chris Neil gets revenge on Steve Downie, Sean Avery injured and new line combinations start to gel

With his focus squarely on the ice this season, J.S. Giguere is hoping for a bounce back season in Anaheim.
The Ducks’ defense seems to have been decided by Randy Carlyle heading into the season, writes Curtis Zupke.
Thrashers fans that made it to then Philips Arena last night were able to see the team’s new number one line gel quite well.
Claude Julien is hoping Andrew Ference responds well to his off-season groin surgery, as the coach believes that Ference was the team’s best defenseman at times last season.
The Bruins brass really likes the progress of prospect Jamie Arniel, writes Fluto Shinzawa.
Boston netminder Tim Thomas is not worried about is poor pre-season play, as he knows he has always been a slow starter.

Tim Thomas says he always gets off to slow starts. (Picture courtesy of aktualne.sk)

Pengrowth is still on board to sponsor the Saddledome, reports Bill Kaufmann.
Mathieu Schneider, a former teammate of Theoren Fleury from New York, is rooting him on.
Fredrik Sjostrom finally got into his first game action for Calgary last night in Vancouver.
Curtis McElhinney had some tough luck on Monday night, as the Canucks tied the game with just seconds remaining.
In Carolina, AHLer Michael Ryan is trying to crack the Hurricanes roster but is finding it a difficult task.
The Blackhawks will be practicing the power play when they hit the ice today, as they have struggled with the man-advantage so far this pre-season.
Ryan O’Reilly has signed an entry level deal with the Avalanche and there is a chance the youngster may crack Colorado’s opening night line-up.
The Blue Jackets finally have a number one line the team can count on, writes Aaron Portzline.
Jason Chimera was none to pleased with Eric Belanger after the hit he received the other night.
Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch wants the Blue Jackets to raise their game before the real games start.
“If you’re not moving your feet, you’re in trouble here, and we’re learning that,” said Brenden Morrow about the new Stars system.
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wants to see what the line of Todd Bertuzzi, Daniel Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg can do before the season starts.
Ken Holland still believes in Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper even if some fans do not.

Ken Holland still believes in Kirk Maltby. (Picture courtesy of art.com)

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal talks about who was cut and who was kept around at Oilers camp.
Pat Quinn has liked what he’s seen from winger Patrick O’Sullivan so far this season.
Is Tomas Vokoun’s success in terms of save percentage misleading?
The injuries just keep coming and coming for the Wild, writes Michael Russo.
An injury forced Mike Cammalleri on to the top line with Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta and it sure worked out.

The Habs' big three acquisitions played together on Monday. (Picture courtesy of yahoo.com)

David Poile explains his signing of Francis Bouillon to John Glennon of the Tennessean.
Predators netminder Dan Ellis has yet to allow a pre-season goal against.
Andrew Peters is trying out for a spot on the Devils, and he continues to have the mindset that he has to do everything he can to just get by.
Jacques Lemaire hinted that he is going to choose between Andy Greene and Cory Murphy.
The Rangers were excited to see Marian Gaborik debut on Broadway but then found out that Sean Avery may miss the season opener with a knee injury.
Will Avery’s injury open up a roster spot for Aaron Voros?
Chris Neil finally got his revenge on Steve Downie for his hit two pre-seasons ago on Dean McAmmond.
The Senators are sending Jared Cowen back down to the WHL after tonight’s game.
The line of Milan Michalek, Jason Spezza and Alexei Kovalev looked pretty dangerous last night.

Jason Spezza appears to like his new linemates. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

Spezza may be impressing the team’s brass, but there are some veterans who are on a short leash, according to GM Bryan Murray.
The Flyers brass will be keeping a close eye on Simon Gagne and James van Riemsdyk tonight.
Sean Burke has been named the new goaltender coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, replacing Grant Fuhr.
Peter Mueller is excited to play an exhibition game in his former WHL home, writes Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic.
Judge Baum has called another hearing in the Coyotes case.
Dave King has been hired by the Coyotes to be an assistant coach.
Did you know Sid Abel was Brent Johnson’s grandfather?
Simon Despres has impressed Penguins coach Dan Bylsma enough that he made it into the exhibition line-up last night in Montreal.
Roster spots are not just given away in Pittsburgh, writes Rob Rossi.
The Sharks are going to have some patience with the new combination of Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley.
Brendan Bell and Steve Wagner have been sent to the AHL by the Blues.
Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has been disappointed with the play of some of his depth forwards so far this pre-season.
Oren Koules appears to have the upper-hand over Len Barrie in their attempts to buy each other out.
Leafs goalie coach Francois Allaire is doing his best to get to know Vesa Toskala in the short time the two have known each other.
Here is the Leafs notebook from the Toronto Star.
Decision time is getting closer for Ron Wilson, as numerous players’ statuses could be decided in the next day or two.
The Canucks pulled off a late comeback last night to keep the team’s perfect exhibition record intact.
If Michael Grabner wants to make the Canucks, he better improve his play.
Bruce Boudreau was not surprised that some Capitals players’ timing was off in their first exhibition contest.